Charging apparatus for blast-furnaces.



PATENTED APR. 26, 1904.

, K. BAGKLUNDAXAIB. F. BURMAN. CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAsT FURNACES.APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1, 1903. N-O MODEL. N 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PVITNESSES INVENTORS.

A TTORNEK Tns NORRIS PETERS co Pnqmumm. wAsuma-rw, n. c.

PATENTED APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND& B. F. BURMAN, CHARGING APPARATUSFOR BLAST FURNACES; APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1903. 20

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ATTORNEY.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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No. 758,493- PATBNTED APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND & B. F. BURMAN.

CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST FURNACES.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 1. 190a.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- JNVBNTORS;

Kidd 4am kfif'fwrirmm WITNESSES ATTORNEY.

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No. 758,498. v PATENTBD APR. 26, 1904. K. BAGKLUND & B. F. BURMAN.CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST FURNACES.

APPLICATION FILED JUISY 1; 1903.

H0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

. INVENTORS,

By AEZ 407772017 A WITNESSES:

m: mums PETERS comnmmu'mu, WASHINGTON. n. c.

I No. 758,498. v PATENTED P .'26,1'904.

K. B'AGKLUND & B. P. BURMAN.

CHARGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST. FURNACES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- H0 IODEL.

WITNESSES:

INVENTORJ menu/a,

fiarmaiv,

' ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES Patented April .26, 1904. I

PATENT OFFICE.

CHAQF'ZGING APPARATUS FOR BLAST-FURNACES.

-fiPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 758,498, dated April26, 1904. Application filed July 1, 1903. Serial No. 163,915. (Nomodel.) i I To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, KNUTE BAoKLUNDand 7 BIRGER F. BURMAN, subjects ofthe King of Sweden and Norway, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland,have invented new and useful Improvements in Charging Apparatus forBlast-Furnaces, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in chargingapparatus for blastfurnaces and similar metallurgical furnaces; and itsobject is to provide a novel form of apparatus by means of which one ora series of furnaces may be charged when desired from a single hoist.

A further object is to provide a charging-A machine which is movablymounted in a plane extending over the receiving ends of the furnaces,said machine being adapted to move into position over any one furnace ofa series. Another object is to provide mechanism within thecharging-machine for discharging the stock into the furnace anddistributing the same equally therein.

Another object is to employ a device which is located in thecharging-machine and is adapted to automatically operate to equallydistribute this stock in the machine and to preventthe escape of the gasfrom the furnace during the charging operation.

A further object is to provide a seal which serves to normally close thetunnel-head of the furnace upon which it is arranged, said seal beingprovided with means for preventing it being blown off in the event ofexplosion.

Another object is to construct furnaces which dispense with the use ofthe ordinary hoppers and charging-bell, thereby increasing the cubiccapacity of the furnaces without proportionately increasing the heightof the v furnaces.

. 5 vents the escape of gases under normal condihv l tions. Tracks arearranged upon the bridge and platforms, and movably mounted upon them isa charging-machine propelled by a suitable motive power and havingarranged therein a hopper and charging-bell substantially similar tothose ordinarily employed within the tunnel-heads of furnaces. Thischarging-machine comprisesa stock-chamber, which is supported upon abell of the usual form, said bell being suspended from a rod which isadapted to be moved in a vertical plane by a suitable mechanism- Ahopper extends into the stock-chamber, and at the lower end thereof isan outlet normally closed by a counterbalanced bell. Thecharging-machine is adapted to be moved into position below the upperend of the hoist,- where stock is discharged into the hopper, therebycausing the counterbalanced bell to automatically open and permittingthe material to pass into the stock-chamber and upon the dischargingbellat the lower end thereof. When a desired quantity of stock has beendeposited in the machine, the same is moved to position over the furnaceto be charged and immedi ately prior to its arrival in such position theseal of said furnace is removed from closing position. Thedistributing-bell and the stockchamber and the hopper supported therebyare then lowered until said stock-chamber rests upon a seat arrangedwithin the tunnelhead. The downward movement of the bell is thencontinued, and the stock will pass automatically through the openingformed-beltween said bell and the stock-chamber.

The invention also consists in providing means whereby explosion ofgases w thin the furnace or within the charging-machine will not result,in injury to either, normally closed I apparatus. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation of the A T 0 apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing themanner in which stock is conveyed from the traveling scale-car to thecharging-machine. Fig. 3 is afront elevation of the charging-machine inposition upon the tunnel-head of a furnace subsequent to the removal ofthe seal, but prior to the lowering of the stockchamber. Fig. 4 is acentral'longitudinal section through the charging-machine in theposition illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a seal inclosing position and showing one form of mounting the same. Fig. 6 is acentral longitudinal section through the seal and showing in dottedlines its position when removed from closing position. Fig. 7 is a viewshowing in side and end elevation a bracket employed for preventing thedisplacement of the seal from position upon the tun nel-head; and Figs.8, 9, 10, and 11 are sections through tunnel-heads and showing variousforms of seats for the seals used in connection with our apparatus andalso illustrating the saving of space through the dispensation of thehoppers and charging-bells ordinarily employed.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 1 areblast-furnaces of suitable form and the tunnel-heads of which areprovided with tubular seats 2, having parallel annular flanges'3 attheir upper ends, which are connected by means of webs 4 or othersuitable strengthening devices. The lower flange 3 of each seat bearsupon a furnace, while the upper flange forms a seat for a seal, such aswill be hereinafter more fully described. The tubular seat extends intothe tunnel-head of the furnace and is preferably tapered incrossseetion, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and where the chamber withinthe tunnel-head is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 9, an annular flange 5 maybe formed at the lower end of the seat for the purpose of supporting thebrickwork of the overhanging tunnel-head. While the seat is preferablyformed of a single piece of material it may, if desired, be constructedin two parts, as illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig. 10 the seat 6is substantially similar to the seat 2, but rests upon a metal lining 7,which extends into the tunnel-head and has a flange 8, which forms abearing for the lower flange 9 of the seat. In Fig. 11 the lining 7 isshown provided with an annular flange 10, formed at its lower end, whichis employed where the chamber in the tunnel-head is enlarged, thisflange serving to support the brickwork. If desired, the seat 11 shownin this figure may be extended downward into the chamber in thetunnel-head and inclosed by brickwork 12, which is supported by anannular flange 13. It will be seen that by providing furnaces of thischaracter all of the space therein is utilized for the stock and none ofit is given up to apparatus for use in charging the same.

Two or more furnaces such as herein described may be connected by abridge 14, and said bridge is provided with a track 15, which extendslongitudinally thereof and to opposite sides of the seats 2, 6, or 11. Atower 15 is located at a suitable point adjacent the bridge, and aninclined hoist 16 extends therefrom downward to a point below the levelof a track 17 which may extend under a suitable number of storage-bins.A desired number of skip-cars 18 may be arranged upon the inclined hoist16, and these cars are adapted to work in pairs. The cars of each pairare connected to opposite ends of a hoisting-cable 19, which extendsover a pulley 20, journaled in the upper end of tower 15 and thencedownward to a drum 21, which is adapted to be operated by a suitablemotor. (Not shown.) These cables are of such length that the skipcarswill move in opposite directions and will reach the upper and lower endsof the hoist, respectively, simultaneously. The track 22 upon the hoist16 is curved inward at its upper end and serves to guide the forwardends of the skip-cars inward, so as to cause said cars to assume dumpingpositions, as illustrated in Fig. 2. It will be understood that anydesired number of hoists and skip-cars may be employed, and we do notlimit our selves to the alternative operation of said cars as hereinshown and described. Moreover, if the storage-bins are in a positionabove the upper ends of the furnaces it will be understood that thehoisting apparatus may be dispensed with by moving the charging-machine,which will be hereinafter described, into position under said bins forloading. Furthermore, the charging-machine itself may be hoisted fromthe ground-level to the furnacetop level. Traveling scale-cars 23 arearranged on the track 17 for the purpose of conveying stock from thebins to the skip-cars. We have shown the scale-car diagrammatically inFig. 2.

Each furnace used in connection with our improved charging apparatus ispreferably provided with a seal, such as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6,and this seal comprises a body 24, having casings 25 at the sidesthereof, in which are journaled wheels 26, which are mounted on rails2'7, provided therefor at opposite sides of the seat on the furnace. Acircular downwardly-extending flange 28 is formed upon the .lowersurface of this body and is equal in diameter to the diameter of theseat of the furnace upon which the seal is used, and'that portion of thebody which is inclosed by the flange 28 is preferably eoncavoconvex, asshown at 29, and provided at its upper surface with strengthening ribsor webs 30. Apertures 31 are formed within the body intermediate thewebs 30, and these are normally closed by weighted doors 32 of anysuitable form and which are adapted to automatically open when unduepressure is brought to bear thereupon, such as is produced by theexplosion'of gases within the furnace.. A third rail 33 is interposedbetween the rails 27 and is parallel therewith, and upon this rail ismounted a wheel 34, which is journaled within a casing 35, formed at thecenter of one end of body 24. Where three or more furnaces are used inconnection with one charging-machine, each seal is provided withindependent means for removing it from or replacing it upon its seatupon thefurnace. In Fig. 1, in which four furnaces have been shown inconnection with one charging-machine, we have shown the seals provided.with rack-bars 36, which are engaged by gears 37 revoluble with largergears 38,and theselast-mentioned gears are in turn rotated by a suitablemotor 39. Where not more than two furnaces are supplied by onecharging-machine, the seals may be removed automatically bysaidymachine. In Figs. 5 and 6 we have shown seals arranged to beoperated in this manner. In these figures the rails 27 and 33 areinclined,as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, and at the outer end ofeach rail is arranged a buffer 40. comprising longitudinally movableplungers 41 and buffer-springs 42, engaging the same. The lower ends ofthe rails 27 and 33 are recessed, as shown at 43, said recesses being solocated as to receive the wheels 26 and '34 as soon as the flange 28arrives in position over the seat of the furnace, and said flange willthus promptly fall into position and seal the furnace. A roller 44 ismounted in brackets 45 at the forward end of the seal and is adapted tobe contacted by the charging-machine, and said machine will during itsmovement thus force the seal up the inclined rails 27 and 33 and intocontact with the bufiers 40 and will hold it in such position during theoperation of chargingthe furnace. The seals, whether operated in themanner illustrated in Fig. lor in the manner illustrated in Figs. 5 and6, are provided with brackets 46 at the sides thereof, which engageangle-irons 47, extending alongside the rails 27, and these bracketsserve to hold the seal against upward movement after the same has beenbrought into position over the seat of the furnace.

Mounted on the track 15 is a charging-machine which is adaptedto conveystock-from the hoist 16 to any one of the furnaces used .in connectionwith the apparatus. This charging-machine comprises a truck 48, havingwheels 49, which are adapted to travel on the track 15. Upon this truckare arranged columns 50, which support a top frame 51, and suitablebrace-beams 52 are located at suitable points between the truck,columns, and top frame. Rollers 53 are journaled in brackets 54,arranged on the truck, and these rollers engage ribs 55, which, arearranged on the outer surface and extend longitudinally of a cylindricalstock-chamber 56, having an annular flange 57 at its lower end. Thisstockchamber is of the same internal diameter as the seats ofthefurnaces used in connection with the apparatus. Apertures 58 are formedin the sides of the stock-chamber, near the upper end thereof, and arenormally closed by means of explosion-doors 59. A conical hopper 60extends into the stock-chamber from the upper end thereof and has acylindrical extension 61 at its lower or discharge end, which isnormally closed by means of a bell 62. This bell is arranged atthe-lower end of a tubular hanger 63, which is connected, by means of alink 64, to a lever 65. This lever is fulcrumed at a point between itsends upon a bracket 66, arranged upon the stock-chamber 56, and aweight67 is adjustably mounted thereon and serves to counterbalance the bell62 and hold the same normally closed. Ar ranged on cross-beams 68 ,onthe upper frame 51 of the machine is a gear 69, which is revo-'lubleupon but secured to said beam and is adapted to rotate upon thethreaded end 7 Ojof a rod 71. in the tubular hanger 63 and is pivotedatits, lower end to a'distributing-bell 7 2. This bell is recessed alongits edge, as shown at7 3, and fitted within the recess is the upper endof a frusto-conical ring 74, which forms practically a, continuation ofthe'bell and the great- This rod is slidably mounted with.

est diameter of which exceeds the diameter of the conical bottom 75 ofthe stock-chamber.

This ring projects below 'thebottom 75 and serves to support thestock-chamber. The gear 69 is adapted to be rotated in any suitablemanner, as by. means of a motor 76. Rods 77 are secured to and extendupward from the stock-chamber and are-slidably mounted within casings78, in which are arranged buffer-springs 79. A head 80 is'formed at theupper end of each of these rods, and these rods and springs serve toprevent injury by j ar ring to the stock-chamber and its connectionswhen the same are quickly lowered into position upon the seat ofafurnace. is arranged at the upper end of the stockchamber and abovehopper 60, and this chute is adapted to direct material from a skip-carat the upper end of tower 15 into the hopper.

In the use of the apparatus herein described 'the stock to be chargedinto the furnace is stored in bins located at any suitable pointsremoved from the same, and traveling scalecars 23 are adapted to conveythe stock from these bins to points above the lower skip-cars 18, intowhich it is discharged. The cars are carried up the hoist 16 anddumped'automa'tically, as ordinarily, into the chute 81, extending fromthe charging-machine, which. has first been placed in position at theupper end of the tower. The stock will be directed by the chute 81 intohopper 60 and will press bell 62 downward. This bell will distribute thestock evenly upon bell 72 within the stockchamber 56. passed from thehopper into the stock-chamber bell 62 will move back automatically intoA chute 81 As soon as all of the stock has v closed position. Subsequentto the storage of the stock within chamber 56 the chargingmachine ispropelled by any suitable power along the track 15 toward the furnace tobe charged. 'VV here only one or two furnaces are adapted to be chargedby means of this machine, the seals of said furnaces are mounted in themanner illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Therefore when the charging-machinereaches the furnace it will contact with the roller 46 of the sealthereon and force said seal up the inclined rails 27 and 33 until itcomes in contact with the rods 41 of the buffer 40. The charging-machinefollows immediately after the seal, as is obvious, and is stopped whenthe stock-chamber thereof arrives in position above the seat on thefurnace. By means of the motor 7 6 the gear 69 is rotated so as to lowerrod 71, and bell 7 2 is thus moved downward and deposits thestock-chamber upon the seat on the furnace, the annular flange 57 uponsaid chamber serving to support it on the seat. After the downwardmovement of the stock-chamber 56 ceases the bell 72 continues to movedownward, thereby forming an aperture between it and the bottom 7 5 ofthe stock-chamber. The stock will thus be discharged into the furnace atthe sides thereof, and any gas escaping from the furnace into the stockchamber will be prevented from passing into the open air by bell 62,which, as heretofore explained, closes automatically after thestock-chamber has been filled. Should the gases within the furnace orwithin the stock-chamber explode during the charging operation, theexplosion-doors 59 will open to permit of the expansion of the explodinggases, thereby preventing injury to the furnace or to thecharging-machine. The rollers 53 serve to guide the stock-chamber duringits vertical movement, and the buffersprings 79 are provided forpreventing injury to the vertically-movable parts of thecharging-machine when the same are brought to a sudden standstill duringthe lowering operation. After the furnace has been charged thecharging-machine is returned and the seal 24 will, as is obvious, rollautomatically down the inclined rails 27 and 33 until the wheels 26 and34: drop into place within the recesses 43 and said seal assumes itsproper position upon the seat on the furnace. This return movement ofthe seal is limited by the buffers 40, arranged at the ends of rails 27.The weighted doors 32 are adapted to open automatically when the gaseswithin the furnace explode. Injury to the furnace through this cause isthus prevented.

Where more than two furnaces are o be charged, it is, as hereinbeforeexplained, necessary to employ independent means for operating theseals. This means we have shown in Fig. 1. These seals are of such sizeas to permit the charging-machine to pass thereover without moving themfrom their positions upon the furnaces. Therefore when the machineapproaches the furnace to be charged the seal is moved from its closingposition by means of the motor 39, which rotates gears 38 and 37 andimparts longitudinal movement of the rack-bar 36 and the seal. Ashereinbefore stated, these seals are arranged on horizontal tracks, andin order to return them to their positions upon the furnaces it isnecessary to reverse the operation above described. By providing adetachable ring 7 4 for bell 7 2 it is obvious that the size of the bellcan be varied if it is deemed necessary to discharge the stock in thefurnace farther from or nearer to the center thereof.

It will be understood that the charging apparatus herein describedpossesses many advantages over the form ordinarily employed and in whichthe distributing-bell and the hopper are arranged within thetunnel-heads of the furnaces. As but a single hoist is employed, a greatsaving is made in the first cost of the plant, and the expensivedistributing bell and hopper ordinarily used in connection with eachfurnace is dispensed with and a single bell and hopper employed foreither one or several furnaces. Moreover, in view of the fact that thebell and hopper are not located in the upper end of the furnace theheight of said furnace can be reduced without diminishing its cubiccapacity,or, if desired, the height may be retained and the cubiccapacity increased. By using a single central hoist the number ofstorage-bins for raw materials can be reduced and the same can bearranged within a limited space at points adjacent the hoist, therebyfacilitating the conveyance of stock to the furnaces. Because of thesimplicity of the apparatus but few attendants are required to operatethe various parts, and all danger of injury is reduced to the minimum.In the event of the breakage of the distributing-bell it is unnecessaryto shut down any one of the furnaces, as a new one can be quicklysubstituted for the one carried by the charging-machine. The continuousrunning of the furnace is thus practically assured and shut-downsrendered practically unnecessary. By providing seats, such asillustrated in Figs. 8, 10, and 11, the same can be readily removed orreplaced when desired.

In the foregoing description we have shown the preferred form of ourinvention; but we do not limit ourselves thereto, as we are aware thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the sprit orsacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and we therefore reserve theright to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of ourinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Acharging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, a stockchamberthereon, an inlet to the stock-chamber, and an automatically-operatedclosure for said inlet.

2. In a charging-machine for furnaces, the combination with a movabletruck; of a stockchamber thereon having an outlet in the bottom thereofand an inlet, a distributing-bell within said outlet and adapted tosupport the stock chamber, an automatically operated closure for theinlet, and means for imparting vertical movement to said bell andchamber.

3. A charging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, a stockchamber thereon having an outlet in the bottom therevof, a hopper havingan outlet, means for normally closing said outlet, and adistributingbell within the outlet of the stock-chamber and movabletherewith in a vertical plane.

4:. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, avertically-movable distributing-bell mounted thereon, and astock-chamber supported upon the bell and having an outlet normallyclosed thereby and an inlet, anld an automatically-operated closure forthe in et.

5. A charging-machine for furnaces com prising a movable truck, avertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stockchambersupported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, anda normally closed inlet to the stock-chamber.

6. In acharging-machine-for blast-furnaces, the combination with amovable truck; of'a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspendedthereon, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outletnormally closed thereby, a hopper opening into the stockchamber, and abell normally closing the outlet of the hopper.

7. A charging-machine for blast-furnaces comprising a movable truck, avertically-movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a stock-chambersupported by the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, ahopper opening into the stock-chamber, a bell within the outlet of thehopper, and means for holding said bell normally in closing position.

8. In a charging-machine for blast-furnaces, the combination with amovable truck; of a vertically-movable distributing-bell, a stockchambersupported thereby and having an outlet normally closed by the bell, ahopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, and a counterbalancedbell within said outlet and normally closing the same.

9. In a furnacecharging machine of the character described, thecombination with a movable truck; of a vertically-movabledistributing-bell suspended thereon, a stockchamber mounted upon andsupported by the bell, said chamber having an outlet normally closed bysaid bell, a hopper having an outlet opening into the chamber, aweighted lever fulcrumed upon the hopper, a bell normally closing theoutlet of the hopper, and a connection between said bell and theweighted lever.

10. Inafurnace-cliarging machine, the combination with a movable truck;of avertically movable distributing-bell suspended thereon, a detachablering inclosing and extending from the bell, a stock-chamber supported bythe bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, a hopper havingan outlet opening into the stock-chamber, a counterbalanced bellnormally closing said outlet, and means for imparting vertical movementto the distributing-bell.

11. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a vertically-movable distributing-bell suspended'fromthe frame, a stock-chamber within the frame and supported by the bell,said chamber having an inlet, an automaticallyoperated closure for theinlet, and explosiondoors to said chamber.

12. A furnace-charging machine of the character described comprising amovable truck, a frame supported thereby, a vertically-movabledistributingbell depending from said frame, a stock-chamber within theframe and supported by the bell, said chamber having an inlet, anautomatically-operated closure for the inlet, and an explosion-door tosaid chamber.

13. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a vertically-movable distributing-bell supported bythe frame, astock-chamber within the frame and supported by thedistributingbcll, a hopper opening into the stock-chamber, acounterbalanced'bell normally closing the outlet of the hopper, and anexplosiondoor to the stock-chamber.

14. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame, adistributing-bell connected to said rod, a stock-chamber within theframe and mounted upon the bell, a hopper having an outlet into thestock-chamber, a bell loosely mounted upon the rod and normally closingsaid outlet, a weighted lever, and a tubular connection between thelever and bell, said connection inclosing the rod of thedistributing-bell.

15. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported there' by, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame,a distributing-bell pivoted to the rod, a frusto-conical ring extensionto said bell, a stock-chamber supported by the bell, a hopper having anoutlet into the stock-chamber, and a counterbalanced bell normallyclosing said outlet.

16. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a vertically-movable rod depending from the frame, adistributing-bell connectedto the rod, a vertically-movablestock-chamber supported by the bell, guide-strips thereon, andguide-rollers mounted upon the truckand engaging the strips.

17. A machine for charging furnaces comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a vertically-movable distributingbell supported bythe frame, a verticallymovable stock-chamber within the frame andsupported by said bell, said chamber having an outlet normally closed bythe bell, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, acounterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, headed rods extendingfrom the stockchamber, and bufier-springs upon the frame and adapted tolimit the movement of the rod.

18. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, a framesupported thereby, a gear journaled upon the frame, a verticallymovablethreaded rod engaged by the gear, a bell pivoted to the rod, astock-chamber supported, and having an outlet normally closed, by thebell, guide-strips upon the stock-chamber, guide-rollers upon the truckand engaging said strips, and means for rotating the gear for impartingvertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber.

19. In a furnace-charging machine, the combination with a movable truckhaving a frame thereon, a revoluble gear upon the frame, and means forrotating the gear; of a threaded rod engaging the gear and dependingtherefrom, a distributing -bell connected to said rod, a stock-chambersupported by thebell and having an outlet normally closed thereby,explosion-doors to said stock-chamber, a hopper having an outlet intosaid chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing the outlet, rodsextending from the stock-chamber, buffer-springs therefor, guide-barsupon the stock-chamber, and guide-rollers therefor.

20. The combination with a furnace having a cylindrical seat arranged inthe inlet end thereof; of a charging-machine comprising a movable truck,a vertically-movable bell supported thereby, a stock-chamber supportedby the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, and an inlet,an automatically-operated closure for the inlet, and means for impartingvertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber and depositing saidchamber upon the seat.

21. The combination with a blast-furnace having a tubular seat in theinlet end thereof; of a movable furnace-charging machine adapted toextend over said inlet and comprising a truck, a distributing-bellsuspended thereon, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having anoutlet normally closed thereby, means for depositing the stock-chamberupon the seat and opening the outlet thereof, a normally closed hopperopening into the stockchamber, and an explosion-door to said chamber.

22. The combination with a furnace having a detachable tubular seat inthe inlet end thereof and extending therefrom; of a furnacechargingmachine adapted to extend over said inlet and comprising a movabletruck, a distributing-bell supported thereon, a stockchamber supportedby the bell and having an outlet normally closed thereby, means forimparting vertical movement to the bell and stock-chamber and forprojecting the bell into the furnace, a hopper having an outlet into thestock-chamber, a counterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, andan explosiondoor to the stock-chamber.

23. The combination with a furnace having a removable tubular seat inthe tunnel-head thereof; of a movable truck adapted to extend over theseat of the furnace, a distributing-bell supported by said truck, astock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closedthereby,means for imparting vertical movement to the bell andstockchamber, whereby said chamber is deposited upon the seat and thebell projected into the tunnel-head, and a normally closed hopperprojecting into the stock-chamber.

24. The combination with furnaces having a bridge connectiontherebetween, and seats projecting into the tunnel-heads of thefurnaces; of a furnace-charging machine movably mounted upon the bridgeand adapted to extend over any one of the seats, said machine comprisinga truck, a frame supported thereby, a distributing-bell suspended fromthe frame, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outletnormally closed thereby, anormally closed hopper projecting into thestock-chamber, and means for imparting vertical movement to the bell andhopper, Whereby said chamber may be deposited upon the seat of a furnaceand the bell projected into the tunnel-head of said furnace.

25. The herein-described apparatus for charging blast-furnacescomprising a bridge adapted to extend over a series of furnaces, astock-conveyer at a point intermediate the ends of the bridge, and amovable furnacecharging machine adapted to receive stock from theconveyer and comprising a truck, a bell suspended therefrom, astock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outlet normally closedthereby, a hopper having an outlet into the stock-chamber, acounterbalanced bell normally closing said outlet, and a chute fordirecting stock from the conveyer to the hopper.

26. The combination with a series of furnaces, having tubular seatsextending into the tunnel-heads thereof, a bridge connection between thefurnaces, and a stock-conveyer at a point intermediate the ends of thebridge; of a furnace-charging machine adapted to extend over any one ofthe seats and comprising a movable truck, a distributing-bell supportedthereby, a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having an outletnormally closed thereby, a hopper having an outlet into thestock-chamber, a bell normally closing the outlet, a chute for directingstock from the conveyer to the hopper, and means for imparting verticalmovement to the distributingbell and the stock-chamber, whereby saidchamber may be deposited upon one of the seats and the bell projectedinto the tunnelhead thereof.

27. The combination with a series of furnaces having tubular seatsextending into the tunnel-heads thereof, means outside the furnaces fornormally closing the tunnel-heads, and bridge connections between thefurnaces; of a furnace-charging machine adapted to extend over any oneof the tunnel-heads and comprising a movable truck, a distributing-bellsupported thereby,a stock-chamber supported by the bell and having anoutlet normally closed thereby, a normally closed hopper projecting intothe stock-chamber, and means for imparting vertical movement to the belland stock-chamber, whereby said chamber is deposited upon the seat andthe bell projected into the tunnel-head.

28. The combination with the rails of furnaces having inlets, tubularseats extending into the inlets, and bridge connections between thefurnaces; of inclined recessed rails adjacent the inlets, sealsextending thereover and each comprising a body, wheels journaled withinthe body and mounted upon the rails, a flange extending from the bodyand adapted to normally inclose the inlet adjacent thereto, and meansfor removing the seals from the seats.

29. The combination with a furnace having an inlet; of rails adjacentthe inlet and having depressed portions, a seal extending over the railsand comprising a body, wheels journaled therein and mounted on the railsand adapted to be seated in the recessed portion thereof, a flangeextending from the body and adapted to inclose and seal the inlet, anexplosiondoor upon the seal, and means for removing the seal from theinlet.

30. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined railsadjacent the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, wheels journaledtherein and mounted upon the rails, said wheels being normally seated inrecesses in said rails, a flange extending from the body and normallyinclosing the inlet and adapted to seal the same, and buffers forlimiting the movement of the wheels upon the rails.

31. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, a tubular seatextending into the inlet, and a bridge; of a movable seal normallyclosing the inlet and comprising a body, wheels journaled therein,inclined rails forming bearings for the wheels, a flange extending fromthe body and normally bearing upon the seat to seal the inlet, and amovable charging-machine adapted to contact with and displace the .sealupon the inlet.

32. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, a tubular seatextending into the inlet, inclined rails adjacent the inlet and havingrecesses, and a bridge; of a seal mounted upon upon the bridge andadapted to contact with the seal and remove it from the inlet.

33. A blast-furnace having a clear inlet end, a tubular seat projectinginto said end, parallel annular flanges at one end of the seat andoutside the furnace, and webs interposed between and integral with theflanges.

34. A furnace-charging machine comprising-a movable stock-chamber havingan inlet, and an outlet, 2. distributing-bell within the outlet, anadjusting-rod extending therefrom, and a closure for the inlet slidablymounted upon the rod.

35. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable stock-chamber havingan inlet and an outlet, a distributing-bell within the outlet, anadjusting-rod projecting from the bell, and a counterbalanced closurewithin the inlet and slidably mounted upon the rod.

36. A furnace-charging machine comprisinga truck, rollers thereon, avertically-movable stock-chamber within the truck, and guide-stripsthereon engaging the rollers.

37. A charging-machine for furnaces comprising a movable truck, rollersthereon, a vertically-movable stock-chamber within the truck, guidesthereon engaging the rollers, and means for adjusting the stock-chambervertically within the truck.

38. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, avertically-movable stock-chamber therein having an outlet, guides forthe stock-chamber, a distributing bell within the outlet, andstock-chamber supporting and adjusting devices connected to the bell.

39. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, avertically-movable stockchamber within the truck and having an outlet,guides for the stock-chamber, a distributing-bell within and normallyclosing the outlet, stock-chamber supporting and adjusting devicesconnected to the bell, and cushion devices connected to the truck andstockchamber.

40. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, aVertically-adjustable stock chamber therein having a normally closedoutlet, rods extending from the stockchamber, and buffer-springsinclosing the rods and mounted on the truck.

41. A furnace-charging machine comprising a movable truck, avertically-adjustable stock-chamber therein having an inlet and anoutlet, a distributing-bell within and normally closing the outlet, adetachable ring supported by and forming a continuation of the bell, andstock-chamber supporting and adjusting devices connected to the bell.

4:2. The combination witha furnace having ITO an inlet, and inclinedrails adjacent the inlet; of a seal movably mounted upon the rails andnormally seated upon and closing the inlet, and buffer-springs forlimiting the movement of the seal upon the rails.

4:3. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined railsadjacent the inlet, said rails having recesses; of a buifer-spring atone end of each rail, a seal comprising a body, wheels journaled thereinand mounted upon the rails, said wheels being normally seated in therecesses, whereby the seal is seated upon the inlet, and means forbinding the seal in closing position.

44. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and inclined railsadjacent the inlet; of a seal movably mounted upon the rails and adaptedto be automatically seated upon and close the inlet, buffer-springs forlimiting the movement of the seal upon the rails, a roller journaledupon the seal, and amovable charging-machine adapted to contact with theroller and remove the seal from the inlet.

45. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary railssecured to the furnace at opposite sides of the inlet; of a sealcomprising a body, wheelsv journaled within the body and mounted at alltimes upon the rails, and means for automatically moving the seallongitudinally upon the rails and into position over the inlet.

46. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary railssecured upon the furnace at opposite sides of the inlet; of a sealcomprising a body, integra casings, wheels journaled within the casingsand mounted at all times upon the rails, means for automatically movingthe seal longitudinally upon the rails and into position upon the inlet,and buffers for limiting the movement of the seal.

47. The combination with a furnace having an inlet, and stationary railsadjacent the inlet; of a seal comprising a body, casings integraltherewith, wheels journaled within the casings and mounted at all timesupon the rails, explosion-doors upon the body, a flange extending fromthe body and adapted to normally inclose the inlet and seal the same,and means for automatically moving the seals longitudinally from therails and into position upon the inlet.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

KNUTE BAOKLUND. BIRGER F. BURMAN. Witnesses:

THOS. KELL BRADFORD, AUG. W. BRADFORD.

